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Toxicity
Toxicity
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms: Blood in urine, cancer, dark coloured urine, dizziness, hematemesis, hepatisis, irritability, jaundice, kidney failure, limb paralysis, nausea, proteinuria, pruritus, shortness of breath, vomiting.
Duration of Symptoms: Weeks - Life-long
Rate of Poison: Not known
Causes Death: Yes
Treatment: Not known.
These plants are vine-like plants that form the shape of a dutchman's pipe. In the 17th century, these plants were used to ease the pain of childbirth. They are also a type of flytrap, but not a carnivorous one. Instead of killing and digesting the fly, they force the fly to feast on its nectar and gather pollen. When the flower re-opens, the fly travels to the next flower.
Photograph: Qwert1234 - Wikimedia Commons
License: Creative Commons ShareAlike 4.0
Main Toxin
Main Toxin
Molecular structure of Aristolochic Acid (ChemDraw)
Aristolochic Acid
Aristolochic Acid
Aristolochic acid, a nitrophenanthrene carboxylic acid derivative, is potentially a carcinogen and could damage the kidneys. Types of damages may include kidney failure. Aristolochic acid metabolizes to form the N-acylnitrenium ion with a positive charge. This allows the ion to bind to the amino groups of adenosine and guanine, located on DNA to form DNA adducts. Reductive activation of aristolochic acid is caused by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 enzyme or NADPH/CYP depending on the location. Harmful environmental factors and poor health practices increase the risk of developing toxicity from aristolochic acid. The mechanism of how aristolochic acid causes kidney damage is not entirely known.
Level of Toxin: 80 - 1080 mg/kg
Impacting Dosage: ~10 mg/kg
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Magnoflorine*
Magnoflorine*
Magnoflorine has been known to cause lower blood pressure, and could potentially contribute to a decrease in heart rate as well.
However, magnoflorine is used for many claimed medicinal uses, such as reduction of inflammation. It has antioxidant and anxiolytic properties. It also has the ability to protect high-density lipoproteins (HDL) which is a healthier form of cholesterol. It is able to exhibit cytotoxicity against a brain tumour cell line (U251) and a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2).
In other words: Magnoflorine can lower blood pressure and possibly slow down the heart rate.
However, it can be used for various medical purposes, such as reducing inflammation. It has antioxidant and anti-anxiety properties, protects healthy cholesterol (HDL), and can kill certain cancerous cells, such as those in the brain and the heart.
3-Oxoishwarane
Aristolactam
Debilic Acid
Stigmastane-3,6-dione
Δ-1(10)-Aristolenone
7-Hydroxyaristolochic Acid I
Aristolene
Debilone
β-Sitosterol
Δ-9-Aristolone
7-Methoxyaristolochic Acid I
Aristolone
Stigmast-4-en-3,6-dione
Δ-1(10),8-aristolodion-2-one
9-Aristolene
Cyclanoline
Stigmast-4-en-3-one
Δ-1(10)-Aristolene
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: All parts
Contact Hazard: None known
Animals Affected: Mammals
Notes: Despite this herb being used for traditional medicinal uses, it is highly advised to not use it for medicinal purposes because of the aristolochic acid content.
Medicinal Value
Medicinal Value
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Fruit, leaves, root, stem
Properties: Alterative, analgesia, anodyne, antiasmatic, antibacterial, antifebrile, antifungal, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antitussive, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, hypotensive, stomachic
Components: Aristolochic Acid
Antidote: Insect bites and snakebites.
Preparation: Dried, tonic
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Treatments
Treatments
Abdominal Pain: Dried root.
Arthralgia: Dried leaves or stems.
Asthma: Dried ripe fruit.
Boils: Dried root.
Carbuncle: Dried root.
Cough: Dried ripe fruit.
Dizziness: Dried root.
Edema: Dried leaves or stems.
Epigastric Pain: Dried leaves or stems.
Headache: Dried roots.
Hemorrhoids: Dried ripe fruits.
Insect Bites: Dried root.
Snakebites: Dried root.
Location
Location
China: Often used in traditional medicines.
Claimed Treatments
Claimed Treatments
Arthritis: Root
Abdominal Extension: Root, vine
Diarrhea: Fruit, root, vines.
Dizziness: Root
Dropsy: Vine
Dysentery: Fruit, root, vines.
Edema
Headache: Root
Hemorrhoids: Fruit
Hypertension: Fruit, root, vines.
Immune System: Root used to increase immune system.
Insect Bites: Root
Respiratory Disorders: Fruit
Skin Disease: Root, stem
Snakebites: Root, stem
Sore Throat
Swelling: Fruit, root, vines.
Tumors: Reduces tumors.
Urine Production: Vines used to increase urine production and pain relief.
Wounds: Root
Location
Location
China: Often used in traditional medicines.
Europe
Edibility
Edibility
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Leaves
Nutrients: None known
Taste: Bitter
WARNING: Consumption should always be taken with precaution.
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
None known
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
Leaves: Cooked
General Facts
General Facts
Plant Facts
Plant Facts
Illustration of Slender Dutchman's Pipe by Zi Xing Zhong Zhang Ding Chen - Flickr
License: Public Domain
Family: Aristolochiaceae
Genus: Aristolochia
Other Names: Ma Dou Ling
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Bloom Colours: Purple
Bloom Time: July - October
Type: Perennial
Height: 18 - 42 ft
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Habitat: Meadows, Roadside Thickets
Origin: China & Japan
States: None known
Provinces: None known
Related Species
Related Species
Aristolochia baetica
(Baetic Calico Flower)
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Aristolochia gigantea
(Pelican Flower)
Photo: KATHERINE WAGNER-REISS - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Aristolochia kaempferi
(Dutchman's Pipevine)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aristolochia labiata
(Mottled Dutchman's Pipe)
Photo: Daderot - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Aristolochia manshuriensis (Manchurian Dutchman's Pipe)
Photo: Timothy Utteridge - Flickr
License: CCNC 2.0
Aristolochia maxima
(Florida Dutchman's Pipe)
Photo: David J. Stang - Wikimedia Commons
License:CCSA 4.0
Aristolochia paecilantha
(Party-Coloured Birthwort)
Photo: Mharfouche - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Aristolochia paucinervis
(Aristoloquia larga)
Photo: Javier martin - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Other Species
Other Species
Aristolochia albida
Aristolochia canadense
Aristolochia fangchi
Aristolochia hainanensis
Aristolochia moupinensis
Aristolochia pentandra
Aristolochia shimadi
Aristolochia thwaitesii
Aristolochia yunnanensis
Aristolochia argentina
Aristolochia cinnabarina
Aristolochia foveolata
Aristolochia lagesinan
Aristolochia obliqua
Aristolochia pothieri
Aristolochia sieboldii
Aristolochia tuberosa
Aristolochia austroszechuanica
Aristolochia delavayi
Aristolochia gorgona
Aristolochia liukiensis
Aristolochia odoratissima
Aristolochia quangbinhensis
Aristolochia stevensii
Aristolochia uniformis
Aristolochia boosii
Aristolochia didyma
Aristolochia guentheri
Aristolochia mollissima
Aristolochia ovalifolia
Aristolochia scytophylla
Aristolochia taliscana
Aristolochia watsonii
Family Connection
Family Connection
Sources
Sources
Toxicity Section
Toxicity Section
EMEA. (2005). Public Statement on the Risks Associated with the Use of Herbal Products Containing Aristolochia Species. European Medicines Agency. From https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/public-statement-risks-associated-use-herbal-products-containing-aristolochia-species_en.pdf
Han, J., Xian, Z., Zhang, Y., Liu, J., & Liang, A. (2019). Systematic overview of aristolochic acids: nephrotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and underlying mechanisms. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10, 648. From https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.00648/full
IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Some Traditional Herbal Medicines, Some Mycotoxins, Naphthalene and Styrene. Lyon (FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2002. (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 82.) B, Aristolochia species and aristolochic acids. From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK326609/
Kim, E. J., Chen, Y., Huang, J. Q., Li, K. M., Razmovski-Naumovski, V., Poon, J., ... & Li, G. Q. (2013). Evidence-based toxicity evaluation and scheduling of Chinese herbal medicines. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 146(1), 40-61. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874112008616
Li, C., & Wang, M. H. (2014). Potential biological activities of magnoflorine: a compound from Aristolochia debilis Sieb. et Zucc. Korean Journal of Plant Resources, 27(3), 223-228. From https://koreascience.kr/article/JAKO201422354180080.pdf
McMillin, D. L., Nelson, C. D., DC, D. G. R., & Mein, E. A. (2003). Determination of Aristolochic Acid in Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger). From https://www.meridianinstitute.com/reports/wgreport.pdf
Pittler, M. H., & Ernst, E. (2003). Systematic review: hepatotoxic events associated with herbal medicinal products. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 18(5), 451-471. From https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01689.x
Plants For A Future. (n.d.). Aristolochia debilis - Siebold.&Zucc. From https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aristolochia+debilis
Useful Temperate Plants. (n.d.). Aristolochia debilis. From https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Aristolochia+debilis
Xie, H. (2011). Toxicity of Chinese Veterinary Herbal Medicines. American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, 6(2). From https://eds.p.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=0&sid=130af12e-cf5f-44bc-804e-6dc3a28bd3db%40redis
Xu, T., Kuang, T., Du, H., Li, Q., Feng, T., Zhang, Y., & Fan, G. (2020). Magnoflorine: A review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicity. Pharmacological Research, 152, 104632. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043661819317943?casa_token=nbfNuU2Vp0QAAAAA:0KX3ismS05XEcBC_QD1mZE9m4dXHsn_-MIss2i5jRwFSeDUiuWGirkDCWw_hzCuEb2SPXJmHRtM
Zhang, H., Ding, X., Tai, K. B., & Yu, A. W. (2017). Alternative medicine and chinese herbs and the kidney. Critical Care Nephrology, 3rd ed.; Ronco, C., Bellomo, R., Kellum, JA, Ricci, Z., Eds, 1313-1319. From https://nephros.gr/images/books/critical-care/Critical_Care_Nephrology_-_Ronco_3rd_Edition_20194-1827-1840-01-08.pdf
Medicinal Value Section
Medicinal Value Section
EMEA. (2005). Public Statement on the Risks Associated with the Use of Herbal Products Containing Aristolochia Species. European Medicines Agency. From https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/public-statement-risks-associated-use-herbal-products-containing-aristolochia-species_en.pdf
Heinrich, M., Chan, J., Wanke, S., Neinhuis, C., & Simmonds, M. S. (2009). Local uses of Aristolochia species and content of nephrotoxic aristolochic acid 1 and 2—A global assessment based on bibliographic sources. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 125(1), 108-144. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874109003468
IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Some Traditional Herbal Medicines, Some Mycotoxins, Naphthalene and Styrene. Lyon (FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2002. (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 82.) B, Aristolochia species and aristolochic acids. From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK326609/
Plants For A Future. (n.d.). Aristolochia debilis - Siebold.&Zucc. From https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aristolochia+debilis
Useful Temperate Plants. (n.d.). Aristolochia debilis. From https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Aristolochia+debilis
Xu, T., Kuang, T., Du, H., Li, Q., Feng, T., Zhang, Y., & Fan, G. (2020). Magnoflorine: A review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicity. Pharmacological Research, 152, 104632. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043661819317943?casa_token=nbfNuU2Vp0QAAAAA:0KX3ismS05XEcBC_QD1mZE9m4dXHsn_-MIss2i5jRwFSeDUiuWGirkDCWw_hzCuEb2SPXJmHRtM
Edibility Section
Edibility Section
IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Some Traditional Herbal Medicines, Some Mycotoxins, Naphthalene and Styrene. Lyon (FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2002. (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 82.) B, Aristolochia species and aristolochic acids. From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK326609/
Plants For A Future. (n.d.). Aristolochia debilis - Siebold.&Zucc. From https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aristolochia+debilis
Useful Temperate Plants. (n.d.). Aristolochia debilis. From https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Aristolochia+debilis
General Facts Section
General Facts Section
Han, J., Xian, Z., Zhang, Y., Liu, J., & Liang, A. (2019). Systematic overview of aristolochic acids: nephrotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and underlying mechanisms. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10, 648. From https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.00648/full
Heinrich, M., Chan, J., Wanke, S., Neinhuis, C., & Simmonds, M. S. (2009). Local uses of Aristolochia species and content of nephrotoxic aristolochic acid 1 and 2—A global assessment based on bibliographic sources. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 125(1), 108-144. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874109003468
IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Some Traditional Herbal Medicines, Some Mycotoxins, Naphthalene and Styrene. Lyon (FR): International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2002. (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, No. 82.) B, Aristolochia species and aristolochic acids. From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK326609/
Useful Temperate Plants. (n.d.). Aristolochia debilis. From https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Aristolochia+debilis
Date of page creation: May 29, 2023
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